Mob Wives, the reality TV series that follows the lives of 4 women affiliated with the Mob, has quickly risen to become the #1 show on VH1. The show's creator, Jennifer Graziano, its stars, Renee Graziano, & their restaurateur sister Lana Graziano

In How to Use a Meat Cleaver: Secrets and Recipes from a Mob Family's Kitchen (Perigee Hardcover Original; $27.95; February 4, 2014) the Graziano sisters share 100 of their favorite and most coveted family recipes, including: Sicilian-style codfish; lobster arabiatta; parmigiano-baked rigatoni with cauliflower, peas and prosciutto; penne with fried eggplant; Sunday gravy; tripe alla Romania; chicken with sausage, peppers and onions; veal osso bucco; escarole and beans; caponata; Sicilian rice balls, and more. They also share never-before-heard stories and anecdotes from inside the most famous alleged mob family of our day (like how to sneak meatballs to family members in prison).

For these women, there is nothing more important than family. And at the heart of every family—especially every Italian family—is food.

Jennifer Graziano is the creator and Executive Producer of Mob Wives, the #1 show on VH1 for three seasons running, with more seasons on the way. She also produced Big Ang, Mob Wives Chicago and Miami Monkeys in partnership with The Weinstein Company.

Renee Graziano is the star of Mob Wives, and perhaps the show’s most compelling character. She is the quintessential mob princess and loves “the lifestyle,” but tries her best to steer her only son, AJ, in a different direction. She’s been the subject of feature articles inPeople, US Weekly, and OK!, and has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, Extra, and more.

Lana Graziano is the oldest of the Graziano clan. Now a divorced mother of three, she owned and operated several restaurants and is in the process of opening another family restaurant with her two sisters.